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Solar PV Analysis of Freshwater, Australia
Freshwater in Queensland, Australia is an excellent location for generating energy through solar panels throughout the year. This is due to its tropical climate that provides consistent sunlight most of the year. However, it's important to note that there are varying levels of energy production depending on the season.
In summer, you can expect about 6.14 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day for each kilowatt (kW) of installed solar panels. Autumn sees a slight drop with around 5.29 kWh/day per kW, while winter has the lowest production at about 4.75 kWh/day per kW. Spring bounces back with the highest energy generation at approximately 6.93 kWh/day per kW.
The best times for generating solar power in Freshwater would be during spring and summer when sunlight hours are longer and more intense resulting in higher energy output from your solar PV system.
When installing solar panels in this location, they should ideally be tilted at an angle of 15 degrees towards the north to maximize total year-round production from your photovoltaic system.
Even though Freshwater is generally ideal for solar power generation, certain local factors could potentially affect this such as environmental conditions or topography elements like hills or trees that could block sunlight reaching your panels.
Local weather patterns may also impact efficiency - heavy rainfalls during wet seasons might reduce sun exposure temporarily but since these events are usually short-lived and predictable they shouldn't significantly impact overall performance across a whole year period.
To ensure greater energy production despite these potential obstacles, ensure that your installation site is clear from any obstructions like tall buildings or trees that could cast shadows over your panels particularly during peak sun hours (usually midday). Regular maintenance checks will also help keep your system running efficiently by keeping it clean from dust or debris buildup which can impact its ability to absorb sunlight effectively.
In summary, Freshwater offers a great environment for harnessing solar power year-round with the right setup and maintenance.
Note: The Tropics are located between 23.5° North and -23.5° South of the equator.
So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 501 locations across Australia. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.
Link: Solar PV potential in Australia by location
Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Freshwater
Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: -16.8825876, Longitude: 145.7146621 (Freshwater, Australia), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:
Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 15° North in Freshwater, Australia
To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Freshwater, Australia (Lat/Long -16.8825876, 145.7146621) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 15° North for fixed panel installations.
As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.
We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.
Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Freshwater, Australia
If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Freshwater, Australia. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 15° North tilt angle throughout the year.
| Overall Best Summer Angle | Overall Best Autumn Angle | Overall Best Winter Angle | Overall Best Spring Angle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1° North in Summer | 23° North in Autumn | 32° North in Winter | 10° North in Spring |
Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.
This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.
Calculate solar panel row spacing in Freshwater, Australia
We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Freshwater, Australia.
Our calculation method
- Solar Position:
We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination. - Shadow Projection:
We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle. - Minimum Spacing:
We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.
This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.
Topography for solar PV around Freshwater, Australia
Freshwater, Australia is located in the northeastern part of the country, in Queensland. The topography of Freshwater is generally flat to slightly hilly. The area is primarily residential with some commercial and agricultural land uses. It's surrounded by tropical rainforests and mountains to the west.
For large-scale solar PV installations, flat or gently sloping areas are typically most suitable because they require less site preparation and can accommodate more panels. Given this, agricultural lands or cleared areas would be most suited for such installations.
However, it's also important to consider other factors such as solar irradiance (the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground), proximity to power transmission lines, environmental impacts, local regulations etc., before deciding on a location for large-scale solar PV installation.
In terms of sun exposure - Queensland gets plenty of sunshine throughout the year making it an ideal place for harnessing solar energy. However, specific feasibility studies would need to be conducted to find the best locations within or near Freshwater for such operations.
Australia solar PV Stats as a country
Australia ranks 7th in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 19,076 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 10.70% of Australia's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 2nd in the world). Each year Australia is generating 742 Watts from solar PV per capita (Australia ranks 2nd in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]
Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in Australia?
Yes, there are a variety of incentives available in Australia to businesses wanting to install solar energy. These include:
1. Renewable Energy Target (RET): The RET provides businesses with financial assistance for installing and operating renewable energy systems such as solar panels. Businesses may be eligible to receive certificates that can be sold or traded on the open market for additional income.
2. Feed-in Tariffs: Some states offer feed-in tariffs which pay businesses for generating and exporting excess electricity from their solar panel system back into the grid during peak demand periods.
3. Solar Credits: The Solar Credits program provides households and small business owners with an upfront discount when purchasing a new solar system, based on the amount of renewable energy generated by the system over its lifetime.
4. Tax Breaks: Small business owners may be able to claim tax deductions on certain expenses associated with installing a solar power system, including installation costs, maintenance expenses and interest payments related to financing arrangements taken out specifically for this purpose.
Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in Australia? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!
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Article Details for Citation
Author: Aaron Robinson
Publisher: profileSOLAR.com
First Published: Saturday 17th of February 2024
Last Updated: Monday 21st of July 2025
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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential
The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.
However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.
Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site
Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide
Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.
